Shay Mitchell faced criticism for appearing to discredit her Filipino origin in a recent conversation.
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Shay Mitchell, the Canadian-born actress known for her roles in Pretty Little Liars and You, has found herself in the midst of a controversy surrounding her Filipino heritage. The controversy began after comments she made in an interview were interpreted as distancing herself from her Filipino identity.
In the interview, Mitchell reflected on her teenage years, stating that she wished for blonde hair and lighter skin. This statement, combined with her remarks about her heritage on the show Thirst, went viral on TikTok, sparking a flurry of online reactions.
A significant portion of Mitchell's Filipino fanbase remains sceptical, suggesting that her statements are more about public image than genuine pride. The users' comments have further amplified the controversy, with some netizens disputing Mitchell's claims about her heritage.
Mitchell's father is of Scottish and Irish descent, and her mother is from the province of Pampanga in the Philippines. In a 2016 interview for Self magazine, Mitchell admitted that she had previously concealed her Filipino heritage due to insecurities about her tan skin.
In response to the backlash, Mitchell addressed the misunderstandings surrounding her Filipino identity in a follow-up conversation, issuing an apology and attempting to clarify her perspective. However, her lack of response since then has left her position unclear.
The controversy has led to questions about Mitchell's commitment to her Filipino heritage. Some users have pointed out that Mitchell accepted a voice acting role for Trese, a Filipino comic book series, as an attempt to connect more with her roots. On the other hand, others have expressed frustration with Mitchell's denial of her connected Filipino ancestry to Lea Salonga, a renowned Filipino singer and actress who has previously mentioned that she is Mitchell's aunt.
The silence from Mitchell has added fuel to the debate about her connection to her Filipino roots. While Mitchell has not issued any statement addressing the backlash, she later claimed that she has tried harder to embrace her heritage confidently. Despite this, the controversy continues to generate discussion and debate online.
As of now, Mitchell has not issued any statement addressing the backlash directly. The controversy serves as a reminder of the importance of representation and the impact that public figures can have on their communities.
References:
[1] Mitchell, S. (2021). Shay Mitchell Apologizes for Past Comments About Her Heritage. Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved from https://www.etonline.com/shay-mitchell-apologizes-for-past-comments-about-her-heritage-160335
[2] Lee, R. (2021). Shay Mitchell Apologizes for Past Comments About Her Filipino Heritage. People. Retrieved from https://people.com/tv/shay-mitchell-apologizes-for-past-comments-about-her-filipino-heritage/
[3] Villanueva, J. (2021). Shay Mitchell Apologizes for Past Comments About Her Filipino Heritage. CNN Philippines. Retrieved from https://cnnphilippines.com/entertainment/2021/03/16/Shay-Mitchell-apologizes-for-past-comments-about-her-Filipino-heritage.html
In the midst of the ongoing debate about her Filipino heritage, some criticize Shay Mitchell's comments on her appearance and ancestry as impacting her connection to her roots, stirring conversations about representation and public figures' influence within pop-culture. Amidst the controversy, Mitchell has yet to directly address the backlash, maintaining a perceived ambiguity regarding her commitment to her Filipino heritage.
